York is a beautiful, medieval city in the glorious county of North Yorkshire.
There are great transport options here. York train station has regular services to London (25 a day) that reach the capital in just two hours. There are direct services to other cities too, including Newcastle, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester, which makes travel for work or pleasure really easy from York city centre. The M1/M62 is just 20 minutes drive, so travelling by car is also a good option. The park and ride service in York also helps when travelling into the city centre from the surrounding areas.
York has some high performing schools, including Fulford School (a secondary state school), and St Peters School, which is a private day and boarding school, with education options for children aged 2-18 years of age. The University of York and York St John University provide higher education options locally, and bring a large student population to the city.
The city centre has an intricate network of streets, which are home to some fascinating independent stores. The most famous of these is the medieval street, The Shambles. This beautiful cobbled area has overhanging, timber-framed buildings (some dating back to the 14th century) that are now shops selling sweet treats, gifts, clothes and accessories. It’s a magical place to explore, and many believe it to be the inspiration behind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, so several magic shops have set up here too.
All the high street names can be found within the city centre, including in Coppergate shopping centre. York Designer Outlet is just outside of the city centre too, with plenty of bargains to be found from big brand names like Timberland, Calvin Klein and UGG.
The Shambles Market Food Court provides some exciting street food options, like Los Moros for example, which serves North African food. There’s also Spark:York on Piccadilly, which is a new concept hosting independent food and drink options in a modern urban setting (this unique venue was created using 23 upcycled shipping containers). There are also workspaces, meeting places as well as a stage and performance area, which hosts regular events. All profits are reinvested back into the business.
There are some amazing choices when heading out for an evening meal or drink. With a great range of riverside bars and pubs, exciting fine dining restaurants, traditional pubs, wine bars and clubs, there’s something for everyone right in the centre of York.
Healthcare is well provided for, as York Hospital is right in the centre of the city, and there are also plenty of GP services and pharmacies available locally.
The River Ouse flows through the centre of York, providing some stunning scenes and gorgeous walks around the city. No visit would be complete without a walk along the medieval York City Walls, which were historically used to defend the city.
There’s plenty of places to go for days out within the city, like Jorvik Viking Centre, which explores the city’s Viking heritage, or the National Railway Museum, with its steam engines and historic carriages to learn about and explore. The city is also home to the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe; York Minster.
